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Throughout the year the FAA has been rolling out the Low Altitude Authorization & Notification Capability program (LAANC). LAANC is a collaboration between the government & private industry to facilitate the exchange of airspace data between the two parties. It provides almost instant airspace authorization near airports if flight is below approved altitudes.

What does this mean for the Boston area?

Wave 5 is finally arriving in Boston & the North East August 16th 2018. Normally it would take up to 90 days to receive airspace authorization under FAA Part 107 Regulations. Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is in class B airspace and extends out as far as Chestnut Hill in Newton.

Under LAANC our pilot can receive almost immediate authorization by using the AirMap app, as long as it falls below the approved altitude. Approved altitudes range from 50ft - 300ft depending on how close the flight path is to Logan Airport. If the flight path requires a higher elevation or closer proximity to the Airport, our pilot can apply for a manual waiver through the AirMap app. This approval process, according to AirMap, can take 2 days.